When this month began, Fawad Ahmed did not know how much longer he would be able to reside in Australia. As an asylum-seeker, he was waiting for a verdict while he worked in a warehouse and tried to make his way playing cricket.

Now, 19 days into November, Ahmed is choosing between contracts from at least three different Big Bash League franchises, has been made a permanent resident and harbours hopes of representing Australia. If ever cricket has been the catalyst for changing for someone's life, that person is Ahmed, who played ten first-class matches in Pakistan.

Ironically, it could also have been responsible for causing him great harm too. When Ahmed lived in Pakistan's northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he was a supporter of an NGO who worked for women's rights, played cricket and coached children in the game, and admired the art of Shane Warne from afar. Those activities were considered dangerous enough to result in him being targeted and threatened by militants.

"My life was in danger because they thought I was promoting Western values and culture and they warned me that if I continued doing that, I would be in trouble," he told ESPNcricinfo.

Fearing for his safety, Ahmed decided he would have to leave his mother, two brothers and sister behind and search for a new life. Choice did not play much of a role when he fled. Australia, rather than a place like the United Kingdom, was his destination because he had friends in the country who could help him get set up. Before leaving, Ahmed had been sponsored a short-stay visa from the Yoogali Cricket Association in New South Wales.

Despite having a Masters degree in international relations and political science, he knew he would find it difficult to get a job with a temporary visa and concentrated on playing cricket and doing odd jobs while applying for asylum. He ended up in Melbourne because his initial documentation was delayed but it turned out to be a happy accident because he found it a "beautiful city" and was soon involved with a local club.

Hoppers Crossing, a club in Victoria's turf cricket association, was the first place his legspin was noticed in Australia. He dominated the league competition there before being sought by Melbourne University Cricket Club, a premier league club that has produced a number of Test cricketers in past years.

"He was taking so many wickets and was becoming quite well known on the club circuit," president Derek Bennett said. But there was much more to Ahmed than just his ability to be destructive with ball in hand and Bennett knew he would have tread delicately.

"When we were talking to him about playing for us, it was obvious that he had come from a horrendous situation," Bennett said. "I spoke to everyone at the club and told them that this guy had had a very complicated life. We knew if we wanted to get involved with him, we'd have to be in for everything that goes with it and we went in with our eyes wide open. But for a guy who turned up without much, he had a good network of friends and we knew he would make it."

Bennett was also confident that the University would be able to assist Ahmed because they had strictures in place for people seeking refugee status. While the administrative issues were taking their course, Ahmed made even more of a name for himself in Australian cricket circles.

He became involved with Victoria's Harmony in Cricket Programme, an initiative which saw him go out to "mostly Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan communities to promote cricket and help players register with clubs".

Having made a successful transition from outsider to accepted, Ahmed wants to be able to help others do the same. "I have been welcomed so well. Everyone respects me and I respect them," he said. "People have been really warm to me and have helped me wholeheartedly."

One of those people was Australia's Test opener Ed Cowan, who befriended Ahmed when he bowled to the team in the nets last year. Specifically, Cowan found that Ahmed had more in common with South Africa's Pakistani-born legspinner, Imran Tahir, than just nationality and kept the information in the memory bank as he hoped Australia could use Ahmed in the lead-up to the current series.

"My life was in danger because they thought I was promoting Western values and culture and they warned me that if I continued doing that, I would be in trouble."

Fawad Ahmed

But in August all those plans came close to unravelling. Ahmed's claim for asylum was rejected, which left ministerial intervention as his only recourse. Bennett helped him send documents directly to the federal immigration minister, which also contained supporting letters from some heavyweights in the game. Cricket Australia's chief executive James Sutherland was among them.

Sutherland has taken up the issue of diversity, or lack thereof, in Australian cricket seriously. At Cricket Australia's recent chief executives' conference, he spoke about the need to "be more inclusive". While Australian cricket has fielded players from eastern European backgrounds such as Simon Katich and Michael Kasprowicz, they have in recent years had only had one player who has sub-continental lineage, Usman Khawaja, play for them, despite waves of immigrants from that part of the world. Ahmed has given them a way to change that.

The news of his permanent residency status was received with much joy. Ahmed was called an "exceptionally talented cricketer with extraordinary resilience" by Bennett and a "skilful, compassionate young man" by Cowan. Sutherland said the Australian cricket community was "thrilled" by the decision. While touching, those words were not as significant as Cricket Australia's actions.

Immediately, CA waived the usual eligibility restrictions and announced that Ahmed would be able to play in the Big Bash this season. He was soon flooded with offers. One is understood to be from his local franchise the Melbourne Renegades, where he seems likely to end up.

It also means that Ahmed, despite being over 30, is able to think of bigger things. Although he does not know the requirement to make him available for Australian selection he hopes to play for them, the same way Tahir has qualified in South Africa. Unlike Ahmed, Tahir relocated for love, not safety, but has since become a regular fixture in the Test team.

Ahmed remembers playing against Tahir in Pakistan where "he played for Lahore and I played for Peshawar". Seeing him again in Brisbane, where Ahmed was bowling to the Australians in the nets again, showed him what was possible. "It was good to see Imran in Brisbane, he is a nice guy and a very good player and to see where he is now is great."

With a bright future ahead it would be easy for Ahmed to forget about his home country altogether but he has not done that. He is an ardent supporter of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who he believes should be the next leader of Pakistan. "All hope rests with him, hopefully he can become the prime minister and if he does, he will run the country well."

One of the things Ahmed would like to see change in Pakistan is the continued absence of international cricket and he thinks with Imran in charge that could happen. He may go back too, although not to play, just to see his homeland and his family again.

"I am really hopeful and think the day is not far when I will return home to see my family," he said. "So far, they have been safe and hopefully they will remain that way. It was me that was being warned, not them. I hope to see them again soon."

Fawad is my house mate and his story is unbelievable, He was trying his best for the last 3 years, specially working in a warehouse, doing hard labour and than going to play for a club is really hard and he used to that. But things changed just in 3 weeks. He was invited to bowl australian team, got his PR and will play in big bash. All his dreams came true in just 3 weeks. He is a hard worker and a great bowler who was ignored by pakistani selectors. Wish him all the best luck.

POSTED BY
smudgeon
on | November 21, 2012, 2:14 GMT

It's a shame people feel the need to bring this positive story down with some interesting (and downright bizarre) inferences. It sounds to me like CA are intervening on behalf of an employee who is undertaking an important role and whose services they want to retain - the only uncommon thing here is the public profile of the employer (CA). The idea that they are trying to "buy" a new spinner is disrespectful, and says more about the people making these claims than it does about CA or Fawad Ahmed. All I can see is a dude who has come here to Australia, and done everything he can to be a good citizen, make the most of his opportunities, and improve the lot of fellow Australians. Salt of the earth kind of guy, if you ask me, and we could do with more like him. People casting doubts about his motives can take a hike.

POSTED BY
Pervaizabro
on | November 20, 2012, 14:47 GMT

That is not good. The security situation in KPK is not as bad as Fawad has projected. For the sake of Asylum, he pleaded that he is unsafe in Pakistan. Best of luck.

POSTED BY
newnomi
on | November 20, 2012, 14:08 GMT

This guy gets a short-term visa and a light goes on in his head: make up a fake story and seek asylum in Australia. Typical! And he's sharp enough not to badmouth my country (PK) openly, yet talks as if cricketers are being gunned down there everyday. Now that he's a permanent resident he even talks of wanting to go back to visit. Where are the death threats now suddenly? He will be having a good laugh with his family. I totally agree with davidatlas999: this was one of the hoaxes that succeeded. Immigration Australia were right in rejecting his asylum application, but spin-starved CA intervened. How desperate can you get!

POSTED BY
Mary_786
on | November 20, 2012, 10:43 GMT

With Khawaja, Lisa Stalkhar and Fawad in the Aus ranks we have great examples for Asian immigrants trying to make it earn a baggy green in Australia.

POSTED BY
sal80
on | November 20, 2012, 8:29 GMT

You story is a real heart touching story,Keep on working hard mate, soon you will get you chance to play in aussie colors.

POSTED BY
on | November 20, 2012, 7:47 GMT

Such courage, you are safe in OZ, live your dream with cricket, others think highly of you...soon be playing first class cricket, test cricket ??.

POSTED BY
stormy16
on | November 20, 2012, 7:10 GMT

Interesting story and no dount there are many more who deserve the opportunity this chap has got. I cant help but think if this is not a last ditch attempt to 'buy' a spin option by CA that is so desperately looking for a replacement for Warne?

POSTED BY
on | November 20, 2012, 6:48 GMT

Great to see so many Pakistani's are recognized in other countries, i wish fawad best of luck and hope one day he will play for australia, i have been very firtunate myself since Pakistan cricket is banned in country as since then all the series Pakistan played here in UAE i have the privileged to practice with them either in Sharjah or in Dubai and been fortunate enough to be friends with likes of Ajmal and other spinners around the world as i myself bowl Legspin.

POSTED BY
zenboomerang
on | November 20, 2012, 5:18 GMT

@Firdose... A good article & glad you picked up on the story - though there is much more to Fawad than you wrote, but guess you can't put in the full story... Fawad is Cricket Victoria's Multicultural Liaison Officer and a mentor to new migrants through his Harmony in Cricket Ambassador job & does a lot of work with cricket juniors (boys & girls)... Seeing how little most Aussies give back to the community, it is great to see new immigrants giving so much of the time for little reward...

POSTED BY
BeReal87
on | November 21, 2012, 12:44 GMT

Fawad is my house mate and his story is unbelievable, He was trying his best for the last 3 years, specially working in a warehouse, doing hard labour and than going to play for a club is really hard and he used to that. But things changed just in 3 weeks. He was invited to bowl australian team, got his PR and will play in big bash. All his dreams came true in just 3 weeks. He is a hard worker and a great bowler who was ignored by pakistani selectors. Wish him all the best luck.

POSTED BY
smudgeon
on | November 21, 2012, 2:14 GMT

It's a shame people feel the need to bring this positive story down with some interesting (and downright bizarre) inferences. It sounds to me like CA are intervening on behalf of an employee who is undertaking an important role and whose services they want to retain - the only uncommon thing here is the public profile of the employer (CA). The idea that they are trying to "buy" a new spinner is disrespectful, and says more about the people making these claims than it does about CA or Fawad Ahmed. All I can see is a dude who has come here to Australia, and done everything he can to be a good citizen, make the most of his opportunities, and improve the lot of fellow Australians. Salt of the earth kind of guy, if you ask me, and we could do with more like him. People casting doubts about his motives can take a hike.

POSTED BY
Pervaizabro
on | November 20, 2012, 14:47 GMT

That is not good. The security situation in KPK is not as bad as Fawad has projected. For the sake of Asylum, he pleaded that he is unsafe in Pakistan. Best of luck.

POSTED BY
newnomi
on | November 20, 2012, 14:08 GMT

This guy gets a short-term visa and a light goes on in his head: make up a fake story and seek asylum in Australia. Typical! And he's sharp enough not to badmouth my country (PK) openly, yet talks as if cricketers are being gunned down there everyday. Now that he's a permanent resident he even talks of wanting to go back to visit. Where are the death threats now suddenly? He will be having a good laugh with his family. I totally agree with davidatlas999: this was one of the hoaxes that succeeded. Immigration Australia were right in rejecting his asylum application, but spin-starved CA intervened. How desperate can you get!

POSTED BY
Mary_786
on | November 20, 2012, 10:43 GMT

With Khawaja, Lisa Stalkhar and Fawad in the Aus ranks we have great examples for Asian immigrants trying to make it earn a baggy green in Australia.

POSTED BY
sal80
on | November 20, 2012, 8:29 GMT

You story is a real heart touching story,Keep on working hard mate, soon you will get you chance to play in aussie colors.

POSTED BY
on | November 20, 2012, 7:47 GMT

Such courage, you are safe in OZ, live your dream with cricket, others think highly of you...soon be playing first class cricket, test cricket ??.

POSTED BY
stormy16
on | November 20, 2012, 7:10 GMT

Interesting story and no dount there are many more who deserve the opportunity this chap has got. I cant help but think if this is not a last ditch attempt to 'buy' a spin option by CA that is so desperately looking for a replacement for Warne?

POSTED BY
on | November 20, 2012, 6:48 GMT

Great to see so many Pakistani's are recognized in other countries, i wish fawad best of luck and hope one day he will play for australia, i have been very firtunate myself since Pakistan cricket is banned in country as since then all the series Pakistan played here in UAE i have the privileged to practice with them either in Sharjah or in Dubai and been fortunate enough to be friends with likes of Ajmal and other spinners around the world as i myself bowl Legspin.

POSTED BY
zenboomerang
on | November 20, 2012, 5:18 GMT

@Firdose... A good article & glad you picked up on the story - though there is much more to Fawad than you wrote, but guess you can't put in the full story... Fawad is Cricket Victoria's Multicultural Liaison Officer and a mentor to new migrants through his Harmony in Cricket Ambassador job & does a lot of work with cricket juniors (boys & girls)... Seeing how little most Aussies give back to the community, it is great to see new immigrants giving so much of the time for little reward...

POSTED BY
on | November 20, 2012, 4:37 GMT

Heart touching story, Fawad brother future belongs to you!

POSTED BY
Senret
on | November 20, 2012, 3:16 GMT

Good on you, Ahmed. You deserve it.

POSTED BY
getsetgopk
on | November 20, 2012, 3:01 GMT

At age 30 i dont think he'll ever play for Australia or probably would but non the less an exceptionally touching story, all the best Ahmed.

POSTED BY
davidatlas999
on | November 20, 2012, 2:09 GMT

One minute he is a lair no one here have any safety problem to promote any NGO m here in khyber pukhtunkhwa province.but no one here have any threat to his life because supporting a ngo please sir if you wanna make some money its ok but you have lots of ways why you wash your country reputation for money.for God sack please grow up now.from my city lots of people in england and my own first causin is in BELGIUM and he also said these kind of thing for asylum.first time i saw it in international media and i am ashamed of it.

POSTED BY
on | November 20, 2012, 1:36 GMT

Good story and good for him. I hope he does well

POSTED BY
on | November 20, 2012, 1:36 GMT

InshaAllah there is a lot more coming "Bacha G"... very soon ya gonna be in the Australian Team. BUT don't forget us (friends). Keep the good work going. Thumbs up to ya mate

POSTED BY
Meety
on | November 19, 2012, 23:05 GMT

What a top article. I seriously doubt he'd play for Oz, but he seems like a champion. Judging by the article - he is really trying to be a part of the community & that is brilliant. Wonder why the Egg-heads in government rejected his appliaction in the first place? Ahmed is EXACTLY the type of person that should be given residency straight up!

POSTED BY
Lahori92
on | November 19, 2012, 22:47 GMT

good luck fawad all the best. I hope one day you'll make it to the top, and represent the country you have chosen.

POSTED BY
Biggus
on | November 19, 2012, 22:46 GMT

Good luck mate, I'm glad to hear you've settled in and are being well advised and looked after. Despite what some would have you believe we're really a very welcoming and tolerant people. I'm not sure what the qualifications to play for Aus are residency-wise but if you can satisfy those requirements and perform domestically there's nothing to stop you from playing for us, only time will tell.

POSTED BY
cricmatters
on | November 19, 2012, 21:30 GMT

That is definitely a good news story. Immigrants make lot of contribution to their adopted country and Ahmed will contribute in his own way. Whether he plays for Australia or not, he can still help with coaching and mentoring young spinners at grass root level. For spinners to do well in Australia, we need pitches that support spin bowling. In the post Shane Warne era, curators are more inclined to make seaming rather than spinning wickets. It would be interesting to see how Australia fares against India in January, a series which can be dubbed as "Trial by Spin". Australia has rarely picked two spinners in the team but they might need three quality spinners for that tour.

POSTED BY
on | November 19, 2012, 18:58 GMT

Great Great Great, We will Love to see you to Represent a Great Country, Love you Australia, I am also a leg spinner and also love to join Australian clubs in Australia, i have lots of Great Hopes for His Career, Here is a lot of talent in Pakistan but always Ruining

POSTED BY
Ahsan-cric-freak
on | November 19, 2012, 18:46 GMT

nice article mate..
bets wishes to Mr Fawad Ahmed.it wold have been better if he had represented his home country rather than a foreign country ...

POSTED BY
on | November 19, 2012, 18:13 GMT

I am not sure about him - and whether his reasons for political asylum makes sense or not - I think it does not have a good base but now that Australians have accepted it best of luck to them - he was a nobody cricketer in Pakistan and I am not sure he would be somebody in Australia - happy to be proven wrong

POSTED BY
InsideHedge
on | November 19, 2012, 15:28 GMT

What an inspiring story. Well Done to CA too, will have to wait to see what comes of Aussie cricketers of Asian background, the initiative to get them to register for clubs should be fruitful in the decades to come. Here in England, too many Asians play in Asian leagues or Asian-only clubs leaving them cut-off from mainstream cricket. Yet to see an Asian really establish himself for England at Test level. I thought Bopara and Owais Shah would do better.....

Good for Fawad and good for cricket in general. Australia, US, Canada, Ireland should open its door to talented cricketers from the sub-continent where there is an abundance of talent. ICC and the boards should support this as this will promote cricket in general and specifically in the associates and will provide opportunity to players who otherwise will perish without playing international cricket. The players should not need to prove a need for political assylum for immigration. It should be based on their professional capabilities. It is a win-win situation

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
K.A.K
on | November 19, 2012, 14:32 GMT

Good for Fawad and good for cricket in general. Australia, US, Canada, Ireland should open its door to talented cricketers from the sub-continent where there is an abundance of talent. ICC and the boards should support this as this will promote cricket in general and specifically in the associates and will provide opportunity to players who otherwise will perish without playing international cricket. The players should not need to prove a need for political assylum for immigration. It should be based on their professional capabilities. It is a win-win situation

What an inspiring story. Well Done to CA too, will have to wait to see what comes of Aussie cricketers of Asian background, the initiative to get them to register for clubs should be fruitful in the decades to come. Here in England, too many Asians play in Asian leagues or Asian-only clubs leaving them cut-off from mainstream cricket. Yet to see an Asian really establish himself for England at Test level. I thought Bopara and Owais Shah would do better.....

POSTED BY
on | November 19, 2012, 18:13 GMT

I am not sure about him - and whether his reasons for political asylum makes sense or not - I think it does not have a good base but now that Australians have accepted it best of luck to them - he was a nobody cricketer in Pakistan and I am not sure he would be somebody in Australia - happy to be proven wrong

POSTED BY
Ahsan-cric-freak
on | November 19, 2012, 18:46 GMT

nice article mate..
bets wishes to Mr Fawad Ahmed.it wold have been better if he had represented his home country rather than a foreign country ...

POSTED BY
on | November 19, 2012, 18:58 GMT

Great Great Great, We will Love to see you to Represent a Great Country, Love you Australia, I am also a leg spinner and also love to join Australian clubs in Australia, i have lots of Great Hopes for His Career, Here is a lot of talent in Pakistan but always Ruining

POSTED BY
cricmatters
on | November 19, 2012, 21:30 GMT

That is definitely a good news story. Immigrants make lot of contribution to their adopted country and Ahmed will contribute in his own way. Whether he plays for Australia or not, he can still help with coaching and mentoring young spinners at grass root level. For spinners to do well in Australia, we need pitches that support spin bowling. In the post Shane Warne era, curators are more inclined to make seaming rather than spinning wickets. It would be interesting to see how Australia fares against India in January, a series which can be dubbed as "Trial by Spin". Australia has rarely picked two spinners in the team but they might need three quality spinners for that tour.

POSTED BY
Biggus
on | November 19, 2012, 22:46 GMT

Good luck mate, I'm glad to hear you've settled in and are being well advised and looked after. Despite what some would have you believe we're really a very welcoming and tolerant people. I'm not sure what the qualifications to play for Aus are residency-wise but if you can satisfy those requirements and perform domestically there's nothing to stop you from playing for us, only time will tell.

POSTED BY
Lahori92
on | November 19, 2012, 22:47 GMT

good luck fawad all the best. I hope one day you'll make it to the top, and represent the country you have chosen.